Awards recognise the passion and dedication to patient care
NHS organisations across Wales have been honoured for their innovative work and best practice improving the quality and safety of patient care, reports Aamir Mohammed
Eight awards recognising “passion and dedication to improving services” were won at the NHS Wales Awards 2018 last Thursday night.
Some of the winning projects include improving patient access to GP appointments, a partnership approach to combating loneliness and work on improving community support at home.
The winners came from across the nation and Cwm Taf University Health Board won the Outstanding Contribution to Prudent Healthcare award for their work on “Stay Well @ Home”.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services Vaughan Gething, who attended the ceremony, said: “The NHS Wales Awards are a national showcase for excellence and celebrate best practice in improving patient care across Wales. It’s a great opportunity to learn from each other and recognise the inspiring innovation of our NHS staff.
“Every finalist should be proud to be shortlisted for an award. I am humbled to see such passion and dedication to improving services provided across Wales. This is even more important and of even greater value with the increasing challenges that we face across our health and social care system.”
Twenty projects were selected as finalists and the eight winners, with each category judged by an independent panel, are:
■ Citizens at the Centre of Service Redesign and Delivery (supported by Wales Council for Voluntary Action)
Aneurin Bevan UHB for “Ffrind i mi/ Friend of mine: a prescription of loneliness”.
■ Developing a Flexible and Sustainable Workforce (supported by NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership)
Betsi Cadwaladr UHB for “Advanced practice audiologists in primary care: A new role within the primary care team, deploying skills with positive outcomes for all stakeholders”.
■ Improving Health and Wellbeing and Reducing Inequalities (supported by Welsh Local Government Association)
Hywel Dda UHB for “Developing a virtual pulmonary rehabilitation (VIPAR) service model to improve health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities”.
■ Improving Patient Safety (supported by Welsh Risk Pool)
Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust for “Advanced paramedic practitioners”.
■ Improving Quality Using Improving Quality Together (IQT) Methodology (supported by Wales Deanery)
West Quay Medical Centre for “Improving patient access to GP appointments using the principles of prudent healthcare”. ■ Promoting Clinical Research and Application to Practice (supported by British Medical Association Cymru Wales)
All Wales OBS Cymru project for “Obstetric Bleeding Strategy for Wales (OBS Cymru) – integrating research into a quality improvement project to reduce harm from postpartum haemorrhage”.
■ Working Seamlessly Across Organisations (supported by Welsh NHS Confederation) Cwm Taf UHB for “Stay Well @ Home”.
■ Outstanding Contribution to Prudent Healthcare Award
Cwm Taf UHB for “Stay Well @ Home”.
Dr Andrew Goodall, NHS Wales’ director general of health and social services and chief executive, said: “It’s a privilege, as always, to attend this year’s NHS Wales Awards.
“The Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the talent, commitment and ingenuity of staff who strive to improve outcomes for people using services in Wales.
“I congratulate all the winners both past years and present for their achievements and ongoing work to share best practice across the NHS in Wales. Service and patient experience is better as a result of their efforts.”
The NHS Wales Awards are organised by 1000 Lives Improvement, the national improvement service for NHS Wales delivered by Public Health Wales.
They were launched in 2008 to celebrate the NHS’ 60th anniversary.
The NHS Wales Awards are a national showcase for excellence and celebrate best practice in improving patient care across Wales. It’s a great opportunity to learn from each other and recognise the inspiring innovation of our NHS staff
VAUGHAN GETHING